Method of and apparatus for assembling packages



4 Shets-Sheet 1 R. R. BROGDEN Filed May 15, 1936 I II'I I H METHOD OFAND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING PACKAGES &

. INV ijona/d w I BY ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1938. 2,133,278

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING PACKAGES R. BROGDEN 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1936 INVENTOR figya/d 71? firggderv 60 t WATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1938. R. RiBR OGDEN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORASSEMBLING PACKAGES Filed May 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Oct.18, 1938 R. R. .BROGDEN ,27

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING PACKAGES Filed May 15, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 18, 1938 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORASSEMBLING PACKAGES Ronald R. Brogden, Orlando, Fla.., assignor to Bankof The Manhattan Company, New York, N. Y., a; corporation of New York,trustee Application May 15, 1936, SerialNo. 79,879

12 Claims.

apparatus for assembling packages and particularly packages of the typeincluding an elastic binder for closing the package.

In packaging certain commodities it is often desirable to secure acontainer having a separate orattached cover-forming portion or awrapper about the contents by an endless elastic binder. Where a binderis to be applied to a container or package having certain shapes as, for.ex-

ample, triangular, it is difficult to apply the binder to the containeror package in such a way that it is uniformly tensioned and is neatlyand evenly disposed about the container or package.

According to the present invention, an elasticbinder is maintained inthe form of an extended closed loop and the articles to which the binderis to be applied are disposed over the elastic ;.binder in predeterminedrelation therewith. A loop or bight at one end of the binder is engagedover an apex or corner portion of the article from one direction andanother loop or bight at the other end of the binder is drawn over theapex or corner portion from the opposite direction thereby to engage thebinder on the article with the portion of the binder intermediate saidloops or bights passing across two opposite faces of the article andforming a loop or loops engaging apexes or corners other than thefirst-mentioned apex or corner. r

The invention also provides suitable apparat for conveniently applyingthe binder to the ment adjacent the package-receiving portion' A 'pluforlimiting movement of the package. 40 rality of upstanding pillar-likemembers disposed on opposite sides of the package-receiving portion areadapted to receive the binder and maintain it in a convenient loop formfor applying it to the package.

45 The package-receiving portion of the support may be inclined, therebyto support acontainer in such a way that when rollable articles aredisposed therein they tend to adjust themselves into an evenlydistributed layer or layers in the 'container. Upstanding abutments mayalso be provided onthe apparatus for bending up sideforming portions ofa box blank and for retaining the side-forming portions in upstandingrelation during filling of the container, where- 55 after the sides maybe suitably secured in upstanding position. Theupstanding pillars may berotatably supported whereby, when the elastic binder is trained around.the pillar, the latter will rotate a sufficient amount to equalize thetension'on all portions of the binder. ious portions of the apparatusmay be made adjustable to accommodate packages and containers of varioussizes and shapes.

.Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following 10 particular description and from an inspection ofthe accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed outiin the'claims ap- 15pended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages,and the manner in which it may be carriedout, may be better understoodby referring to .the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying 20 drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a. top plan view of one form of apparatus suitable forcarrying out the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side velevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig; 25

'Fig. 3 .is 'anenlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken alongline 3'3 of Fig. 1;

' Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof the apparatus, showingan-electricbinder and a partially filled box in position on theapparatuspreparatory to applying the binder to the container;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the container'closed and thebinder partially applied thereto; I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4'showing the v binder completelyapplied to the container;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the completed package after ithasbeen taken'from the apparatus; 1 f

Fig.8 is a perspective view of a modified form of apparatusshowing thebinder in position on the apparatus and a box blank disposed above theapparatus in. position to be registered there- Fig. 9 isan enlargedfragmentary cross-section taken along line-9'9.'of Fig. 8.;

Fig. 10 is a view-similar toFig. 8', the box blank being shownas'set-upto form a box;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, the box blank being. shownassembled with cover and the binder partially'applied to the container;

Fig. 12 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 10, the binder being shownas=completely applied to the container; and r Fig. 13 is a perspectiveview showing the com- The .varv5 .slot 26.

pleted package after it has been taken from the apparatus.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown one form of apparatusespecially well adapted for forming a package from a box-like containerof generally triangular shape, which apparatus will be described inconnection with my process, for the purpose of illustrating the process.

The apparatus includes an elongated, generally rectangular support orframe I which may be formed of suitable rigid material such as wood,metal or others and may conveniently have longitudinally extending baserails or legs 2. Mounted on the support I are upstanding pillars orstuds 3, 4 and 5. The pillar 3 is suitably mounted adjacent one end ofthe support and pillars 4 and 5 are mounted adjacent the other end ofthe support and are in alignment along a line perpendicular to thelongitudinal center line of the support I.

Each pillar, as for example pillar 5 (shown more in detail in Fig. 3),may be formed for retaining the elastic binder in the desired formationand may comprise a. cylindrical roller I0.

having secured therein a bushing II carrying a ball bearing I2.Extending through the bearing I2, which extends through an elongatedslot I6 in the support I, is a bolt I5 which is secured by a nut I lwashers I8 and I9 are interposed between the support I and the bearingI2 and nut I1 respectively. The pillar 3 may be formed similarly to thepillars 4 and. 5 and may be supported on a bolt I8 passing through anelongated The elongated slots I6 and 20 permit considerable adjustmentof the position of the pillars longitudinally of the support.

Adjacent the pillars 4 and 5 is a supporting.

portion for a container or package to be wrapped, which portion may beformed as a platform 25 suitably attached to the support by screws 26and having an inclined upper face.

Adjacent the edge of the platform 25 nearest the pillar 3 is suitableabutment means which may be a plurality of upstanding studs 21 eachhaving a threaded portion 28 and a head 29 and threaded into an opening30 in the support I.

The abutment means serves to retain the package or container in suitableposition onthe platform and prevents it from'being displaced during theapplication of the binder hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig.4, the apparatus is shown in connection with one formof box which can be conveniently packaged according to the presentmethod and with the present apparatus. The box 40 may comprise a bottom4| of generally triangular shape and sides 42, 43,44 and 45 upstandingfrom the edges of the bottom 4|- As shown in Fig. 5 a suitably formedcover 50 with a depending flange 5| may be provided forclosing the box40.

Prior to filling the box, an elasticbinder 60 which preferably is arubber band is trained over the pillars 3, 4 and 5, which maintain thebinder 60 in the form of an extended closed loop of generally triangularform having a base 6I extending between the pillars 4 and 5, sides 62and 63'extending from the .base to the pillar 3, and an apex 64 engagingthe pillar 3. The portions 6| and 64 of the rubber band thus positionedconstitute end bights, both of .which, as will presently appear, are tobe looped in opposite directions over that corner of the container shownadjacent pillars 4 and 5m Fig. 4.

Since the pillars 3, 4 and 5 are rotatably mounted, the binder willautomatically adjust itself when trained thereover so that all portionsare uniformly tensioned. The pillars are positioned relatively to theplatform and to each other suitably so that the lengths of the severalportions of the binder are in ratio to (i. e. properly correlated to)the corresponding distances over which they respectively extend whenapplied to the container. The pillars 3, 4 and 5 may be adjusted so thatthe respective portions of the binder are of suitable length forengaging the corresponding portions of containers of various sizes, andthus the binder, when applied, is under substantially uniform tensionthroughout its length.

The container 40 is disposed on the platform 25 and its base side wall43 bears against the abutment studs 21, its opposed corner or apexportion being in general alignment with the end bightslBI and'64 of thebinder. .The articles 46 to be packaged are then inserted and the cover50 is disposed on the container. Where the content comprises rollablearticles as, for example, marbles, candies or other generally globulararticles,. they will tend to roll toward the side wall 43 and thusadjust themselves into evenly distributed compact layers.

The cover 50 is applied to complete the container and the base portionSI of the binder 60 is carried up over and engaged with the adjacentapex portion of the container, the base side wall 43 of the containerbeing meanwhile held firmly against abutment studs 27 by the tension ofthe binder which is still looped over pillar 3. Thereafter, the apexportion or bight 64 of the binder is carried up over and across the topof thecontainer, the sides 62 and 63 engaging the side wall 43 andadjacent portion of the top and the apex 64 is carried over and engagedunder the same 66 engages it from the bottom. The loops 6'!- and 68engage the other two corners of the container respectively. Thus, allthe corners of the container are engaged by the binder in such a Waythat the binder is automatically locked on the container and retains thecover thereon.

Various modifications may be made in theprocess and apparatus in orderto adapt the inventive concept to the applying of a binder to varioustypes of containers or packages. Referring to Fig. 8, there is shownasecond form of apparatus which is especially well adapted for setting upa box blank to form a container and applying an elastic binder thereto.

The apparatus may be broadly similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and mayinclude a support IIlI having pillars IIl3,.I 04 and I05 rotatablymounted thereon. Each pillar may be formed and supported in a mannergenerally similar to the pillar- 3 of Fig. ,1.

Disposed on the support In I and near the pillars I04 and I05 is aplatform I25 which may be constituted by a substantially fiat plate orblock having a generally horizontal surface and secured to the supportIIlI as by means of screws I26. Up-J standing from the support IOIadjacent one edge of the platform I25 is suitable abutment means such asspaced studs I 21 suitablysecured in the Referring now to Fig. 8, thereis' shown one form of blank which can be conveniently set up with theaid of the apparatus to form a box, and then filled and the binderapplied, while the box is in position on the apparatus. 1

By way of illustration the blank I30 is shown rests upon the face of:the platform I25. During the downward movement the studs I2'I engage thesection I43 and bend it up along score lines I4! and the studs I35engage the sections I42 and I44 and bend them up along score lines I46and I48 respectively. Thus a set-up box I is formed as shown in Fig. 10.I

Prior to setting up the box, an endless binder, which may be a rubberband I60, is trained over the pillars I03, I64 and I05 in theform of anextended triangle having a base I6I, elongated sides I82 and IE3 and anapex I64.

After the box I40 has been set up, it may be filled in a convenientmanner and thereafter closed by a suitable cover I50 having a sideflange I5I adapted to retain the side walls of the box I40 in upstandingposition. If desired, flange I5I may extend substantially to the bottomof the box thereby providing a container having side walls of doublethickness.

The binder I60 is applied to the container by carrying the base portionI6I up over the apex of the container to engage therewith. Thereafterthe apex portion I64 is drawn over and across the top of the closedcontainer and carried under the apex portion and engaged therewith.Referring to Figs. 12 and 13 it will be seen that the binder I60 engagesthe closed container in a plurality of loops, the loop I65 engaging theapex of the container from the top, the loop I66 engaging the apexportion from the bottom, and the loops I68 and I69 engaging the basecorner portion of the container respectively.

Various modifications in the method and apparatus may be made as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although preferablythe base portion of the binder is engaged with the container prior tothe apex portion of the binder with the container, this procedure may onthe platform and the binder applied in the manner described. Variousmodifications in the platform and abutments may be made to adapt theapparatus forsettingup containers of other and more'complex constructionthan the illustrative container disclosed. a

The method is rapid and eflicient and insures that the binder is appliedwith uniform tension and is neatly and evenly positioned on thecontainer or package. The manipulation of the process with apparatus ofthe type disclosed is relatively simple-and can be carried out byrelatively unskilled labor with desirable results.

While certain novel features of the invention havebeen disclosed and arepointed out in the: annexed claims, it will be understood that variousomissions, substitutions and changes may be'made by those skilled in theart without-departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1; The method of applying an elastic binder to an article of generallytriangular shape which comprises disposing and maintaining an elasticbinder in extended form to present end bights inpredeterminedspaced-apart relation, placing the article with one facecooperatively adjacent said binder intermediate said bights and with oneapex or corner portion in general alignmentwith said bights, and loopingsaid bights oppositely around saidapex or corner portion.

2. The method of applying an endless elastic binder to an article ofgenerally triangular shape which comprises disposing the elastic bandinextended loop form, equalizing the tension-in all portions of the band,disposing the article on the band, engaging one end of the loop over acorner of the article and drawing the second end of the loop over andacross the top of the article and engaging it under said corner of thearticle from a direction opposite to said first end of the loop.

3. The method of applying an endless elastic binder to an article havinga generally triangular shape which comprises maintaining the binder inextended, generally triangular shape, disposing the article on thebinder in reversed apex to base relation adjacent the base of saidbinder, engaging the base of the binder over the apex of thearticle, anddrawing the apex of the binder over and across the top of the articleand engaging it under the apex of the article.

4. The method of applyingan endless elastic binder to an article havinga generally triangular shape which comprises maintaining the binder inextended generally triangular shape, disposing the article on the binderin reversed apex to base relation adjacent the base of said binder,drawing the apex of the binder over and across the top of the articleand engaging it under the apex of the article, and engaging the base ofthe binder over the apex of the article.

5. The method of applying an endless elastic binderto an article havingcorner portions, which comprises stretching an endless elastic binder tosuch length that the several portions thereof are of suitable length toengage the corresponding portions of the article to which the binder isto be applied, the binder so stretched presenting two end bights,establishing contact between a face of the article and a portion of thestretchedbinder intermediate said bights, with a corner portion of saidarticle in general alignment with said bights, and looping both bightsover said corner portion in opposite directions.

6. Apparatus for applying an elastic binder to a package or articlecomprising a support, 'means including a plurality of spaced upstandingpillars mounted on said support for maintaining an elastic binder inextended loop form, and means including a transverse abutment disposedinterme upstanding abutments on opposite sides of said first abutmentfor receiving a. binderto be applied to said box, and maintaining saidbinder in extended loop form.

8. Apparatus for applying an endless elastic binder to an article ofgenerally triangular shape comprising a support, means for mounting anendless elastic binder on said support in the form of an elongatedtriangle, and an abutment up- 20; standing from saidsupport adjacent thebase of the triangle formed by a binder on said mounting means, formaintaining an article in position to receive a binder from saidmounting means.

9. Apparatus for applying an endless elastic 25;- binder to an articleof generally triangular shape comprising a support, means includingrotatable pillars upstanding from said support for mounting an endlesselastic binder on said support in the form of an elongated triangle, inwhich all 30;; portions of said binder are under substantially equaltension, and an abutment upstanding from said support adjacent the baseof the triangle formed by a binder on said mounting means, for

retaining an article in position to receive a binderfrom said pillars.

v10. Apparatus for applying an elastic binder to a package or article,comprising a supporting base, and a plurality of spaced-apart retainingmembers mounted on said base, said members be. ing. adapted and arrangedto retain an endless elastic binder trained about them under tension inthe form of an elongated loop and to permit equalization of such tensionthroughout such loop, said base being adapted to support a package orarticle over said loop at a locality intermediate the ends thereof.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the mounting of at leastone of said retaining members is adjustable to vary the relative spacingof said members along said base and thereby accommodate tensioned binderloops of different lengths.

12. Apparatus for applying an elastic binder to a package or article ofgenerally triangular shape, comprising a supporting base, and threeretaining and tension-equalizing members rotatably mounted thereon inupright position, in the form of an elongated triangle, and adapted toretain an endless elastic binder trained about them under tension in theform of an elongated loop, said base being adapted to support a packageor article over said loop at a locality intermediate the ends thereof.

- RONALD R. BROGDEN.

